The Broncos are OMG without their D, DOA without VJ. You could build a 10-foot hoagie from the amount of bacon Vance Joseph has saved from Sean Payton’s hindquarters since August.
Denver leads the NFL in punts (53). The Broncos have kicked it away on fourth down four more times than the Browns (49), who went from Joe Flacco to Dillon Gabriel at QB, and 11 more times than the Titans (42), who fired their coach after six games.
Meanwhile, Denver (8-2) rolls into Sunday’s absurdly huge showdown with the Chiefs (5-4) ranked third in the NFL in fewest points allowed (17.2) and fewest yards given up (270.7).
It’s one of the most lopsided 8-2 profiles in modern NFL history — a kaiju corgi with a big body and tiny little legs, stepping on buses and chewing on power cables in the most adorably destructive way possible.
“Shootouts, low-scoring games, as long as we win,” Joseph, the Broncos’ defensive coordinator and mastermind of the Mile High Mashers, told me after practice earlier this month. “You have to improve every single week, fix your issues and move forward. That’s what we’re doing.”
Speaking of issues, the Giants are now looking for a head coach. Brian Daboll became the second NFL boss this season to lose his gig not long after losing to the Broncos. The Titans, who looked Hackett-esque in a Week 1 defeat at Empower Field, have been on the hunt for Brian Callahan’s replacement since mid-October.
As the hottest coordinator in the NFL, Joseph, 53, has already landed on most pundits’ short lists. As well he should.
“It is flattering (to be mentioned),” Joseph said. “I think as a coach, you always like when your work’s being recognized. Obviously, that’s why we do it. I think the highest honor in this league is being mentioned in those conversations, so that’s flattering, also. But this is my, what, 18th, 19th season in the league?
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